Wearing a target has become the rule rather than the exception for the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team this season.

It has almost become part of the Commodores’ uniform by now.

Top-seeded Vanderbilt won’t be the least bit flustered about being considered the “favorite” in the SEC Tournament championship match Sunday (TV: SEC Network, 1:30 p.m. CT) against No. 2 seed and defending national champion Florida at the University of Tennessee.

That’s because coach Geoff Macdonald won’t allow the thought to even cross his players’ minds.

“We got a lot of first sets (against Ole Miss), so we put pressure on them early,” said Macdonald. “Our players did a really well.”

After capturing the doubles point, setting the pace for the Commodores was Fernanda Contreras at No. 2 singles. The junior was dominant over Sabina Machalova, 6-2, 6-0. Vandy’s other winners were Amanda Meyer (6-3, 6-0 over Anna Vrbenska) at No. 4 and Emma Kurtz (6-2, 7-5 over Natalie Suk) at No. 5.

Ready for the Gators in the final

Macdonald is convinced his team will be taken to the limit — again — Sunday. The last time Vandy played Florida was a monumental test.

“It was an incredible match,” the coach said. “We have the utmost respect for Florida. They’re a classy team.”

Memories of that showdown are the reason he doesn’t have to worry about his players taking anything for granted.

“We just talk about playing and controlling what you can, not worrying about that,” Macdonald said. “This tournament was filled with upsets. The league is just so good.”

That’s why cracking into the league’s elite is a huge step for any program. Finding the talent, then cultivating it, is the key to success.

“We try to recruit people who love to play and have great character; people who want to come to Vanderbilt and get a great education,” Macdonald said. “We try to teach them and they’re really open to learning.

“You never know, when you recruit someone, how it’s going to turn out. We’ve had a lot of these kids embrace SEC tennis and get after it.”

Contreras has 'the right stuff'

Even when she’s on the court, Contreras thinks like an engineer. The mechanical engineering major is analytical in the way she plays.

“I love tennis because it’s like a puzzle,” Contreras said. “Everybody’s different. I have to figure out, ‘Oh, she doesn’t like high balls, so I hit high balls.’ It’s like that all day.”

“(Contreras) understands the game really well, and she knew how to take (Machalova) out of her rhythm,” Macdonald said. “When (Machalova) would hit a winner, she didn’t let it bother her. She’d regroup and change the next point so the player can’t get the ball again. She’s just a smart player.”

Contreras was recently selected to the All-SEC Community Service Team for her work as a volunteer at a hospital in South Africa for six weeks last summer.

“One day I would follow a doctor around with syringes,” she explained of her duties. “One day I would change and re-apply bandages to a kid.

“It opened my eyes. There was a baby, she was burned and didn’t have a leg. All I could think was, ‘I’m so blessed.’ I’ve been given so much. I have to give back.”